Aston Villa, Liverpool, and Newcastle United are reportedly interested in signing Brajan Gruda, a versatile 20-year-old right winger who can play as a No. 10 or center-forward. Gruda joined Mainz’s academy in July 2018 and made his first-team debut in January 2023.
Gruda made his debut in the German top flight during the 2023-24 season. He became a regular starter for Mainz, playing 29 games and contributing four goals and three assists.
The creative talent finished the season on a high note, scoring and assisting in Mainz’s 3-1 victory over Wolfsburg on the last day.
Gruda has yet to earn his senior Germany debut because to Julian Nagelsmann’s excellent attacking options, but he is now impressing for Germany U21s and hopes to move up in the coming years. He even assisted Nagelsmann by working with the senior squad in the lead-up to Euro 2024.
Not only is Gruda drawing the attention of German FA (DFB) authorities, but he is also becoming a target for numerous Premier League clubs.
On May 25, it was revealed that Liverpool had began to compete with Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen for Gruda.
Aston Villa, Newcastle, Bayern Munich, and RB Leipzig have subsequently joined Liverpool and Leverkusen in their pursuit of the youngster, whose father played professional football in Albania.
Aston Villa transfers: Brajan Gruda is an attacking target.
According to the latest sources in Germany, Gruda would prefer to join a Champions League club after leaving Mainz, ruling Newcastle out.
However, there is one significant reason why Villa president of football operations Monchi has an advantage over Liverpool in the race to attract Gruda to England. The teenager is determined to remain a regular starter at his next club, which will be more difficult to do at Anfield.
Villa already has top wingers such as Moussa Diaby, Leon Bailey, and Samuel Iling-Junior. However, Gruda believes he can make an impact at Villa Park if Unai Emery signs a deal with Mainz. Villa’s main competitors for Gruda are Leverkusen and Leipzig, with Liverpool and Newcastle trailing behind.
